Income/Debt Graphs May 2010

Below are graphs to accompany the letter from Board President, David Gifford, which is copied below the graphs.
We invite you to join us in a visioning gathering on Sunday, May 30th at 10:30 to set the future course of our Unity of Berkeley community.

This Graph represents monthly income from January-March, 2010 and weekly income in April 2010

This graphs represents our outstanding financial obligations as of April 30,2010

Letter from the President, Unity leadership Team
May, 19,2010

Dear Unity Family,

You are all aware of the tenuous financial situation that we are experiencing. To address this situation we, the Leadership Team, invite you to spend some time with us on Sunday, May 30 during service as we open to our vision and create a strategy for rising to achieve that vision.

As I spend time with the Leadership Team focusing on our challenges, I am often energized by reflecting on the magic that brought each of us as individual members to our community. I am motivated by the relevance, need and good prospects for our future.

I’m immensely grateful for the learning experiences I’ve had at Unity and am amazed at the incredible line-up of notable speakers that have graced the doors of our small congregation. I’ve grown significantly from interactions with teachers from many paths and have had the privilege to make a home with this incredible family called Unity of Berkeley. I want to celebrate the many opportunities and divine appointments Spirit has brought my way.

At the same time, as your President, and with our cash reserves depleted, I need to underscore the need for us to start living within our means. This means a future of increasing revenue and/or reducing costs. The attached graphs portray our current financial circumstances. Aware that our membership is weary of hearing about money challenges, I must again call on you for help. Please know that the Leadership Team is well organized around our community needs and focused in our work to move away from the drain of existing in a day-to-day survival mode.

I must announce to the community that Rev. Patricia will be taking an unpaid furlough for the month of June. We are unable to bring her pay up-to-date (not counting past obligations). We also owe two month’s rent. The unpaid leave is a decision that Patricia supports and she looks forward to using the time to write, pursue passions and re-energize. We all need to be aware that this means Patricia will not be available for any of her organizational or pastoral roles during this voluntary furlough. She has planned a Healing Focus for June with outstanding speakers: Rev. Kerry Chinn, Rev. Glenn Dunning, Rev. Felicia Searcy and Rev. David Hiller. Patricia will return in July to share her renewed and deepened energy and passion with us.

We continue to work on developing the means to draw on resources outside our community. But as you may imagine, turning our financial circumstances around may not be a quick or easy process. We are looking at other measures with dramatic impact on our expenses, including the possibility of downsizing our space rentals. I believe that our family characteristic can sustain us through most any challenge. The Leadership Team’s intention is to see that our community connections evolve well beyond survival, and to see our full potential blossom.

As we investigate other revenue possibilities and explore potential cost savings, we need your immediate help to generate a sufficient level of income. Our first priority is to maintain our obligations and then to start paying down our longer term debts.

We need your expanded support, including bringing more people in to the community. We need you to join in our growth through increased participation. Please do what you can to help sustain our viability during this transitional period.

I look forward to visioning and planning with you during the May 30 Sunday Service Session.

Much Grace to each of you,

David Gifford
President
Unity Leadership Team

Annual Membership Meeting

Sunday, March 7 from 12:30 to 2 PM

Rev. Dr. Patricia Keel, Founding Minister and Steve Carter, Acting Chair of the Leadership Team, enthusiastically invite and encourage you to attend the Unity of Berkeley Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 7 from 12:30 to 2 PM.

There will be a Potluck Luncheon after the Sunday Service, with our meeting following the refreshments. This is your opportunity to show off that new recipe and/or delight the palates of your community with your favorite dish!

It is Birthday Sunday for March babies, the Unity House Band will be playing some of Tad Toomay’s songs during the service, and the theme of the message is “Love It and Guide It – Your Soul Powers of Love and Wisdom.”

It will be a beautiful day. Please plan to join us.

A G E N D A
Election of new Leadership Team members
Report by the Minister Rev. Patricia
Financial Report by Alice Gallagher McGraw, Treasurer
Overview from Ministry Team Leaders
Question and answer session.
Moving Forward and Expanding Unity of Berkeley

Please bring something to share at the potluck and join us for this important meeting. Your active participation is most critical to the health and vitality of our spiritual community.

Nature Walks

Our second annual nature walk took place on Sunday, August 16th, in Tilden Park near Berkeley. After a lovely picnic on the grass, our group of 14 started our one-mile round trip hike. The trail wrapped around the back of a canyon then dropped into the Gorge trail shaded by very large eucalyptus , redwoods, and bay laurel trees. We crossed the creek via a bridge and followed it gently down towards Lake Anza. I believe Lori, our non-seeing member, had the most enjoyable time. With the loving guidance of Dee, Lori hugged and touched trees with glee. Even though the early part of the trail was bordered by an abundance of the Poison Oak, I feared not, for the hiking group included five prayer chaplains.

Trip Leader Darrell Hunger

BBQ at Unity

Facilities Manager and Vice Chair of the Unity Leadership Team, Steve Carter, has many talents, including BBQ. Periodically during the warm months of the year, he sets up his grill and treats us to his Southern-style specialities.  The most recent feast happened in May, and a yummy time was had by all!

May Day Festivities

At Unity, we honor the Divine in a variety of creative ways. On the first of May, Member Andrea Bryck creates a May Pole experience to acknowledge and celebrate the return of the Sun and the blessings of Spring. Weaving and unweaving the many ribbons reminds us that all life is interconnected. We are truly One in Spirit!